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Friday, June 11, 2010

The petition verb Parakalomeans “I urge, I beg, I beseech”. This strategy of finding petition verbs is specific to Paul’s writings (Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon). It is specific to Paul’s writings because it seems that Paul loves the petition verb and never uses it unless he is hammering home a point. In the English language we have tons of ways we can emphasize things. We can use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, make a statement or word bold, underline the statement, or use an exclamation point! The Greek language did not have exclamation points or bold font and it was written all in capital letters, so they used words for emphasis. Paul’s emphasis word is Parakalo(I urge, I beg, I beseech). Whenever he uses this word it usually goes hand in hand with the purpose of the book.

This is the word used in Philippians 4:2 that says: I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. That’s amazing to think that the purpose of the book of Philippians was to get these ladies to live in harmony with one another. I’m going to read Philippians looking at it from this perspective. I urge you to do so also.
Isn’t it just amazing that you can study the Bible for years and years and still find fresh insights? There is no other book in the world you could read year after year and never tire of. I love some of the books of Agatha Christie and have reread them many times (good thing I’m forgetful because I always wonder: whodunnit!). But I could not read one book of hers over and over every single day. There are only a handful of books I’ve wanted to read more than once. The same thing with movies. I’ve seen very few movies more than once.
God’s word, though, never grows old. Not if we glean wisdom from others so that we can dig deeper, uncovering more and more gems. Just click here, Come Fill Your Cup, to read the latest post on “How to Study the Bible.” Parakalo you to do so!

Monday, June 7, 2010

I sat down this morning to write and my mind was blank. Surprising, eh? Actually it wasn’t blank. It’s too full at this moment. I’ve been looking over my Vacation Bible School material, trying to find my doctor’s appointment (I know it’s Wednesday, but I’ve forgotten the time), picking out pictures I want printed, doing laundry, figuring out what to cook for supper, getting a card ready to send, cleaning out my purse and thinking that I need to finish revising my book. Then when I took a minute to sit down to write this, I realized I had not prayed this morning. I’ve been too busy to squeeze God in. God comes first—always.

In Mark’s sermon yesterday he talked about how we change in marriages. But no matter how much we change, we are still to stay committed to one another. Hopefully, the change will be towards maturity, towards becoming more Christ-like. Change in my life has not always been forward. I stumble, but I think I’ve learned to pick myself up and keep going with Carl’s help. Since I’ve first met Carl, he has been the one I trust to always tell me the truth, the one I can always rely on to help me grow spiritually. Years ago, after my son was born by emergency c-section, I awoke in the recovery room. I immediately asked the nurse how the baby was doing. She said that the baby was fine. I didn’t believe her. I told her I wanted to see my husband, but she said he was not allowed in the recovery room. I began calling for Carl and the nurse relented and allowed him in. When he told me Ray was fine, I knew he spoke the truth. In the song, It Is You, the first stanza says:

There is something that I see

In the way you look at me

There’s a smile, there’s a truth in your eyes.

And that’s what I saw the day Ray was born and it’s what I still see today. The truth is always there—even the painful kind. But it’s always given with love.

Thank you, Carl.

And, yes, I took the time to pray before writing this. God can uncrowd minds and refill them. Thank you, God.